Build the academic skills you need for learning at university and ease your transition from school learning to higher education.
- Duration6 weeks
- Weekly study3 hours
- LearnFree
Preparing for University
Develop writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills for university study
Learning at a university level requires enhanced critical thinking skills, as well as being able to hold a supported, substantive argument and critically analyse sources or data.
On this course, you’ll build the foundations of these skills, so that you can prepare yourself for the challenges of this new learning environment.
You’ll hear from university lecturers on what they value in students and get advice on the more difficult aspects of learning at university.
At the end of each week, you’ll receive a summary of key skills, which you’ll find useful to refer back to as you start your university journey.
What topics will you cover?
- Questioning in a university environment
- Links between independent study, revision and reading skills
- Developing writing skills which focus on persuading the reader/audience
- Textual analysis and how context affects the reading of a text
- Understanding the importance of data and its use in evidence-based argument
- Using and acknowledging the work of others through referencing
When would you like to start?
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more
Available now
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Understand the skills needed to do well at university
- Practice the key skills required for success at university
- Understand what lecturers value in their students, and what skills their students excel at and struggle with
- Locate top tips for coping with the university learning environment
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone considering studying at a university, or a similar higher education institution.
Additionally, learnings from this course can support studying for A-levels, BTECS or other post-16 courses, as well as access or foundation courses.
What do people say about this course?
This has been so helpful in getting more of an insight into what studying at university will be like and require of you as a student. As well as really helping in knowing how to approach material you will encounter at university, Thank you!
Bethany Hobbs
This course was so good, very helpful. It helped me realize what I need to improve and also gave me some tips.
Marijo Valenzuela
Who will you learn with?
Dr Harriet Jones is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East Anglia, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a National Teaching Fellow and Director of the PreUniversity Skills Programme
Who developed the course?
UEA (University of East Anglia)
The University of East Anglia is an internationally renowned university providing top quality academic, social and cultural facilities to over 15,000 students from over 100 countries around the globe.
Learner reviews
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